Reaction product of a polyethoxyline monomer and an aminoamide



United States Patent This invention relates to a novel class of compounds and their use as curing agents for epoxy resins. More particularly the invention relates to a new class of chemical compounds comprising aminoamides of the complex carboxylic acids (EPA) derived from sulfur-containing aromatic hydrocarbons of petroleum origin such as (1) solvent extracts, obtained in the solvent refining of mineral lubricating oils using a solvent selective for aromatic compounds, (2) hydrogenated solvent extracts, (3) FCC recycle stocks, and (4) decant oil from FCC processing and mixtures thereof. The above named aromatic stocks are treated by metalation, carbonation and acidification to produce the complex aromatic acids. Another aspect of this invention is the discovery that the afore-defined aminoamides. of complex aromatic acids derived from solvent extracts or FCC recycle stock are superior curing agents for epoxy resins. Still another aspect of the invention comprises the method of making the aminoamides.

The aminoamides of this invention are to be distinguished from the aminoamides of ordinary carboxylic acid in that the organic acid portion of the molecule is derived from sulfur-containing aromatic compounds of petroleum origin, exemplified by solvent extracts. Furthermore the aminoamides of this invention are distinguishable from the modified polyamide resins of the prior art, such as the reaction products of formaldehyde, a dimeric fatty acid containing two carboxyl groups per molecule, and an organic amine, such as an aliphatic triamine. For instance, the complex carboxylic, aromatic acids or mixture of mono-, diand polycarboxylic acids derived from solvent extracts have many properties that differ from dimer fatty acids, i.e., a polymerized fatty acid such as polymerized linoleic acid, described in US. Patent 2,956,968 or described in any of the references disclosed therein such as soybean fatty acids, linseed oil fatty acids,

cottonseed oil fatty acids and the like. In addition the aminoamides of this invention differ from the linear polyamide polymers disclosed in copending application Ser.'

No.'79,548, filed Dec. 30,1960; now US. Patent 3,154,- 524,.by T. W. Martinek by .two important characteristics:

(a) They are quite fluid at room temperature and thereby readily miscible with epoxy resins, and

(b) The chain length is principally made of monomers having 2-7 polya'rnine units attached to one EPA unit, but may include up to about of short chains having 2 EPA units linked by one polyamine, with each EPA unit having 1-6 additional polyamine units attached.

Accordingly, it becomes a primary object of this invention to provide a new class of chemical compounds comprising non-resinous, fluid aminoamides of carboxylic acids derived from sulfur-containing aromatic compounds of petroleum origin by a process of rnetalation, carbonation and acidification.

Another object of this invention is tosprovide amino-- amides of the formula wherein n is an integer of 1 to 10, R is a divalent hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to carbon atoms, R is the 3,3 Z6"853 Patented June 20, 1967 sulfur-containing aromatic compounds, and m has a value of 1 to 7, and is preferably 2-3 depending on the number of carboxylgroups in the complex carboxylic acid derived from solvent extracts and the related sulfur-con- 'taining starting materials.

Another object of this invention is to provide a process of preparing compounds of Formula 1 supra.

An object of this invention is to provide superior curing agents for epoxy resins wherein said curing agents may be represented by Formula 1 supra.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide novel aminoamides of the formula H I l 0 wherein R and R are as before defined and n is an integer of 1 to 10, prepared from monocarboxylic acids derived from solvent extracts as hereinafter more fully described.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel aminoamides of the formula H- IIT-R l I(|iJR(|%lI I-(R III H H u 0 o H H 21 wherein R and R are as before defined and n is an integer of 1 to 10, derived from dibasic acids prepared from solvent extracts obtained from mineral lubricating oils.

Another object of this invention is to provide aminoamides of the formula O=CNH l t -N H i).

wherein R and R are as previously defined and n has a value of 1 to 10, derived from tri'basic acids prepared from solvent extracts.

Further objects of the invention are to provide fluid aminoamides of carboxylic acids derived from solvent extracts, wherein long chain polyamines, such as diethylene triamine, triethylene tetramine, and tetraet hylene pentamine are used in the preparation.

These and other objects of this invention will be described or become apparent as the specification proceeds.

This invention results from the discovery that the aminoamides of carboxylic acid, derived from solvent extracts obtained in the solvent extraction of mineral lubricating oils using a solvent selective for aromatic compounds, prepared by reacting about one mole of a linear polyamine with about one equivalent of polycarboxylic acids from solvent extracts (means a mixture of mono-, diand polycarboxylic acids or fractions thereof), with incremental addition of said acids to the reaction mixture, with gradually increased temperature, produces an aminoamide hav- -ing superior curing properties for epoxy resins and superior miscibility and blending properties with aromatic based epoxy resins.

The invention also results from the discovery that the fluid aminoamides so produced are superior to the solid linear polyamide resins of EPA, to aminoamides of fatty acids or fatty oil acids, and to polyamines alone as curing agents. In addition we have discovered that, if the mixed polycarboxylic acids are refined to remove all, or substantially all, of the monocarboxylic acid-s the aminoamide products derived therefrom show still greater cross-linking ability, and if the ratio of acid to polyamine is increased slightly in the formulation to permit a small, controlled 3 4 polymerization, resulting in longer chain molecules having with the processes disclosed in copending applications: Ser.

a structure illustrated by the formula: No. 819,932, abandoned June 12, 1959, T. W. Martinek;

w rmr 1. r w- H II m 0 g H n O i O H H n m where m!=1-6 units, and are accomplished by (1) the Ser. No. 79,661 (now US. Patent 3,153,087), Dec. 30, reaction of about one molecule of polyamine with each 19 60, W. E. Kramer, L. A. 100 and R. W. Haines; Ser. No. of the carboxyl groups of the complex carboxylic acid, said 160,882, now US. Patent 3,222, 1 37, Dec. 20, 1960, T. W. complex acid being either a mixture of acids resulting Martinek; Ser. No. 79,541 (now US. Patent 3,154,507), from the metalation, carbonation and acidification reac- Dec. 30, 1960, W. E. Kramer, L. A. Joo; Ser. No. 79,506 tions having 1 to 7 carboxyl groups per molecule, or said now abandoned, Dec. 30', 1960', T. W. Martinek.

complex acid being a selected fraction of the acid mix- In accordance with said copending applications, the

ture and as such predominating in acids having either one, complex, polynuclear, aromatic, and alkaromatic carboxtwo, or three, as the case may be, carboxyl groups per ylic acids used to prepared the novel compositions of this molecule or by (*2) reaction of about 2 molecules of the invention are derived by metalation, carbonation and acidicomplex acids predominating in acids containing 2 to 7 fication of a source of complex, polynuclear, aromatic carboxyl groups per molecule with the terminal groups of sulfur-containing nuclei as represented by (l) solvent eX- the polyamine and further reacting about one molecule of tracts obtained in the solvent refining of mineral lubricatpolyamine with each of the remaining carboxyl group of ing oils using a solvent selective for aromatic compounds, the complex acid molecule, these latter reaction products hydfogenatfid and refined Solvent FCC constituting up to about 1 0%, based On the total amount recycle Stock decant Oil from FCC Processesf aminoamide, f the reaction product The resulting complex acids, hereinafter referred to as extract acids, or EPA, are mixtures of mono-, di-, and

THE COMPLEX CARBOXYLIC ACID (EPA) polycarboxylic acids. Through chemical analysis, characterization and study of the physical and chemical prop- The complex carboxylic acids or acid mixtures used in erties, by way of illustration only, the extract acids may accordance with this invention are prepared in accordance be represented by the following formulae:

Mono'basic Acids COO R H R coon Hat.

Dibasic acids H CR a a 000K x COOH Het.

Tribasic acids COOH COOH a eon Heb $0 at. Q,

wherein Het. illustrates one or more S-, N-, or O-containing heterocyclic ring substituents, R is an alkyl or cycloalkyl radical having a total of 5 to 22 carbon atoms for each nucleus and n has a value of 3 to 10. The molecular weight of the extract acids ranges from about 250 to 750, and the average molecular weight is about 325470. Table I gives representative physical and chemical properties of the extract mono-, diand polycarboxylic acids to be used in accordance with this invention.

TABLE I Property: Value Av. mol. wt. range 325470. Melting point 60-l100 C. Bromine No. 4-24. Sulfur, percent 1.05-4.45. Color Deep red-dark brown.

Unsaponifiables, percent 28.

In the mixture of acids produced by metalation, carbonation, and acidification of solvent extracts, the monobasic acid derivatives constitute from 595% by weight, the dibasic acids constitute from 595% by weight and the polybasic acids, that is those acids containing from 3 to as high as 7 carboxyl groups, make up from to 20% by Weight. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixture of acids produced by metalation, carbonation, and acidification of solvent extracts from the manufacture of refined mineral lubricating oils may be used although fractions of such acids, such as those prepared by the method of copending applications, Ser. No. 161,355 filed Dec. 22, 1961, now U.S. Patent 3,228,963; Ser. No. 209', 741 (now abandoned), filed July 13, 1962, Ser. No. 209,- 780 filed July 13, 1962 and Ser. No. 247,358 filed Dec. 26, 1962, may also be used.

Since the preferred source material, namely solvent extracts from the manufacture of mineral lubricating oil, does not lend itself to economical production of the desired complex acids using the prior art methods, the preferred methods of preparation set forth in said copending applications will be described and the properties of the acids set forth as examples. The details of these processes as described in said copending applications are incorporated herein by reference.

One procedure is to react about 30 parts of a petroleum fraction rich in complex polynuclear aromatic-s, as exemplified by solvent extract oils, with 1 to parts of an alkali metal, such as sodium, potassium, cesium, lithium, and ribidium, and their mixtures and amalgams, at a temperature of about 60 to 80 C. in the presence of a reaction solvent such as dimethyl glycol ether, dimethyl ether, methylalkyl ethers, dialkyl glycol ethers, tetrahydrofuran, methylal, and trimethylarnine. The formation of the adduct is promoted by shearing and agitation, providing an excess of alkali metal, using a preformed dispersion of the alkali metal in an inert solvent, or using a preformed dispersion of the alkali metal in a portion or all of the solvent extract. These techniques overcome the induction period of the reaction caused by impurities, including sulfur compounds, present therein, which tend to coat the alkali-metal particles and prevent the reaction or prolong the induction period. A Brookfield counter-rotating stirrer may be used to give continuous shearing and expose fresh metal surfaces during the reaction. Color changes indicate the progress of the reaction.

The alkali-metal adduct thus formed is either separated or left in the unreacted oil, and is treated with excess gaseous or solid carbon dioxide at temperatures ranging from about C. to 80 C., causing a discharge of the color. This forms the alkali-metal salt of the complex acid which, upon acidification with a mineral acid, such as sulfuric, nitric or hydrochloric acids, yields the desired complex, polynuclear, carboxylic acids in good yields. To illustrate, the following non-limiting examples are given.

Example I One hundred gms. of extract oil No. 19 (Table III) from the preparation of 170 vis., 100 VI neutral oil, dissolved in 675 cc. of dry tetrahydrofuran, was reacted with agitation at 10 to 30 C. with 8.3 gms, of metallic sodium in the form of A cubes. After 25 minutes, adduct-formation began and a strong color change took place. The product was cooled to 60 C. while an excess of carbon dioxide gas was introduced, resulting in a discharge of the color without precipitation. The 5.1 gms. of unreacted sodium was removed, the tetrahydrofuran was vacuum-stripped from the product, and the remaining liquid was combined with ether and water-washed. Acidification of the aqueous phase and further ether washing resulted in the recovery of the free acids. About 11% of the solvent extract had reacted. The acid product had an indicated average molecular weight of 686, a saponification value of 171, and a calculated equivalent weight of 328, indicating an average of 2.1 carboxyl groups per molecule.

Example II One hundred gms. of extract oil No. 19 (Table III) and 675 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran were charged to a one-liter, 3-necked flask equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, pressure-equalized drop-funnel, gas inlet with rotometer, and gas outlet. A dry nitrogen atmosphere was maintained in the flask. Approximately 100 gms. of alundum balls, in diameter, were charged and agitation started. The solution was cooled to 20 C. and 8.3 gms. of sodium, as a 20% dispersion in toluene, were added. After an induction period of about 5 minutes, the solution was warmed, and at 7 C. the reaction began; in 17 minutes it was proceeding rapidly. When the reaction had progressed substantially to completion, an excess of dry carbon dioxide was added at C. over a period of 78 minutes. The reaction mass was worked up as in Example I after the excess sodium was destroyed with water. About 15% of the extract oil reacted, and 22.5 gms. of extract acid were recovered having a saponification value of 241, indicating an equivalent weight of 233. The acid product contained 2.8% sulfur.

Example III The process of Example II was repeated producing complex acids having a saponification value of 323, an indicated equivalent weight of 173, and an indicated average molecular weight (cryoscopic) of 600, and containing 3.0% sulfur. The ratio of molecular weight to equivalent weight was 3.5 indicating a mixture containing acids with more than two carboxyl groups per molecule on the average.

Example IV The various recovered acids of application Ser. No. 819,932, now abandoned, illustrated in Table II therein, are further examples of mono-, diand polycarboxylic acids to be used to prepare the aminoamides of this invention.

Example V The various carboxylic acid products described in Runs 12 through 47 of U8. Patent 3,153,087 are further examples of acids that may be used.

In order to further illustrate the complexity and types of modifying acids that can be used in accordance with this invention, the following tabulation is given:

TABLE IL-TYPICAL PROPERTIES OF A NUMBER OF EXAMPLE COMPLEX ACIDS (EPA) Sap. M01 Per- Br. Percent Eq Eqs./ Acid No. Value Wt. cesnt N0. Unsap. Wt Mol. No.

Prepared from decent oil: API gravity 15.40, RI 1.5425. Acid No. 102 contained about 1.5 average number of carboxyl groups per molecule.

The starting material for the reaction to prepare the complex acids used in preparing the aminoamides used vent extracts from the manufacture of 'bright stock and neutral lubricating oils are particular examples of such fractions rich in complex aromatic compounds obtained as by-products from the solvent refining of mineral oils.

For example, a preferred source of the above-defined complex hydrocarbons comprises the solvent extracts obtained in solvent refining mineral oils, particularly lubricating oil fractions, using a solvent selective for aromatic compounds. These extracts, hereinafter referred to as solvent extracts, are obtained as the extract or solvent phase when lubricating oils are refined by treatment with said selective solvent having an afiinity for the aromatic compounds.

Since the general process of refining mineral lubricating oils in which solvent extracts are obtained is well known, and is related in detail in said copending applications, it is only necessary for present purposes to give some examples by way of illustration. Following are the physical characteristics of typical extract products, from lubricating oil stocks derived from various crude oils and other source hydrocarbon materials, which may be used to prepare the aminoamides of this invention and for curing epoxy resins as prepared herein.

The solvent extracts from lubricating oils used as starting materials for this invention have the following general properties and characteristics:

in accordance with this invention may be any complex TABLE IV polynuclear, and/or heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon Characteristic: Range of value from petroleum sources. A preferred and unique source of Gravity, API 7.3-183 aromatic starting material compises petroleum fractions Gravity, sp., 60/ 60 F 0945-1022 as herein defined, not only because the mono-, di-, and Viscosity, SUS 210 F 40-1500 polybasic acid products therefrom have unique properties, Vlscosity index 128+39 but also because the techniques outlined herein are par- Pour point (Max), F. +-+100 ticularly adapted to processing these more complex and 35 Molecular weight, average (above 300).. 320-750 resistant source materials. Illustrating the preferred and Boiling point (initial), F 300-1000 novel starting materials is the class known as solvent ex- Boiling point (end), F. 400-1200 tracts from the manufacture of mineral lubricating oils, Sulfur, percent wt. (total) 0.5-4.5 which solvent extracts are rich in complex, polynuclear, Sulfur compounds, percent by vol. 20-50 aryl, alkaryl, condensed ring and heterocyclic nuclei form- Aromatic compounds 25-90 ing the organic portion of the mono-, di-, and polybasic Neutral aromatic hydrocarbons 40-51 carb-oxylic acids, or their mixtures, of this invention. Sol- Av. No. of rin II101- TABLE JUL-SOURCES AND PHYSICAL CHARACTE RISIICS OF SOLVENT EXTRACTS Ext. Crude API Sp. Vis./ Vis.] Vis./ F. F. Iodine Percent Percent No. Source Solvent Grav. gr. at F. F 210' F. V.I. Your Flash Fire No. GB Sulfur 10 F. (Wijs) 1 East Tex-.- PhenoL... 11.1 dodo 15.4 do. do 12.6 do 14.6 15.4 13.7 8.6 0 10.5 Santa Fe 10. 2

Springs. Texas FurfuraL- 13.0 Ch1orex 12. 2 Nitro- 10.0

benzene. Mid-Cont" Propane 14.4

eresol. Mid-Cont-. Phenol 13.6 Mid-Cont" Cl1lorex 13.6 Mid-Cont Phenol 8.9 Mid-Cont.. FurfuraL. 14.9 East Tex... Phenol 13.5 5.76 2.36 do 111 0.42 2.7 13.7 5.5 2.3 7.7 0. 86 3.2 7.3 7.7 3.0 17.6 0.1 2.0 13.7 5.5 2.3 11.1 31 61.5 -56 +40 435 475 40.0 0.4 2.7 7.7 2,007 611 71.1 128 +35 420 495 38.6 0.86 3.2 do 7.3 1. 019 230,000 20,800 796 -76 +65 520 610 7.7 3.0

Extract No. 41 was obtained in the production of 85 Vis. neutral, has an average molecular weight of 300, and contained 76.8% aromatics (by the silica gel procedure).

Extract No. 42 was obtained in the production of Vis. Bright Stock, has an average molecular weight of 590, contained 86% aromatics, 14% saturates, analyzed 86.2% carbon, 11.4% hydrogen and averaged 3.3 aromatic rings per aromatic molecule.

Extract N0. 43 was obtained in the production of 170 Vis. neutral, has

an average molecular weight of 340, contained 84.1% aromatics, 15.9% saturates, analyzed 86.4% carbon, 10.7% hydrogen, and averaged 2.7 aromatic rings per aromatic molecule.

Extract No. 44 was obtained in the production of 200 Vis. neutral, has an average molecular weight of 340 and contained 87% aromatics and 13% saturates.

Extract No. 45 was obtained in the production of Vis. Bright Stock and contained 92% aromatics and 8% saturates.

In characterizing the complex acids, and the aminoamides and epoxy resin compositions of this invention, the molecular weights, sulfur content and average number of aromatic rings per mean aromatic molecule of the complex acids are the selected criterion.

The complexity of the types of compounds present, as based on these analyses, is illustrated by the following table:

TABLE V.ESTIMATED CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SOLVENT EXTRACTS N03. 19, 211, 43 AND 44 OF TABLE III Type of compound: Approx. percent in the extract Saturated hydrocarbons 12.5 Mononuclear aromatics: Substituted benzenes- 25.0 Dinuclear aromatics: Substituted naphthalenes- 30.0 Trinuclear aromatics:

Substituted phenanthrenes 10.0 Substituted anthracenes 5.0 Tetranuclear aromatics:

Substituted chrysenes 00.5 Substituted benzphenanthrenes 0.2 Substituted pyrenes 0.2 Pentanuclear aromatics: Perylene 0.01 Sulfur compounds, oxygen compounds, etc. 16.5 Mainly heterocyclic compounds. The average mol. wt. f Extracts 19 and 21 is 340, and that of Extract 20 is 590.

Any portion of the reactive aromatic constituents in solvent extracts may be isolated therefrom, or from other sources, to be used as starting materials for the reaction in accordance with this invention. For example, solvent extracts may be distilled and selected fractions thereof used as the starting materials. The content of reactive, complex, polynuclear, aromatic compounds and heterocyclics present in solvent extracts, as illustrating the preferred source material, may vary depending on the type of solvent, the extraction process applied, and the mineral oil treated, although the general types of compounds present in the extract are not so varied. Extracts containing from about 30% to 90% of polynuclear aromatics and heterocyclics of aromatic nature represent a preferred type of starting material for economic reasons.

. The solvent extract starting material may be vacuumdistilled, dewaxed and/ or clay-contacted and/or hydrogenated prior t use in preparing the complex carboxylic acids from which the selected fractions used in accordance with this invention are derived. Dewaxing can be accomplished by known methods e.g., treatment with 45% MEK and 55% toluene as the dewaxing solvent,

using temperatures in the order of 10 F., and solvent/ solvent extract ratios of about 8/ 1. This treatment results in a dewaxed extract which has a pour point of F.

and results in the removal of about 2% wax having a melting point of about 130 F. Clay-contacting can be accomplished by known methods.

The preparati-on of hydrogenated extracts is accomplished using known methods of hydrogenation, particularly mild hydrogenation; thus a preferred method of preparing hydrogenated extracts is to hydrogenate the distillate lube oil or residual oil before the extraction by treatment with hydrogen at 100500 p.s.i.g., using temperatures of 530600 F., in the presence of a molybdenasilica-alumina catalyst. This same method can be applied to the solvent extracts per se, that is, after the separation from the rafiinate.

Hydrogenation has been found to result in the deca-rboxylation of any naphthenic acids present and the production of an extract from which complex acids of enhanced properties can be obtained by metalation, carbonation, acidification and fractionation.

Other known methods of hydrogenation can be applied to the solvent extracts using such catalysts as Filtrol, oobalt-molybdate, silver-molybdate and Porocel. The characteristics of a representative hydrogenated dewaxed and clay-contacted solvent extract are API, 9.5; color, NPA, 7; Flash (COC), 420 F.; Fire (COC), 465 F.; Pour Point, 5" F.; Vis at 100 F., 1075 SUS; Vis at 210 F., 58.5 SUS: VI, 96; Neut. No. (1948), 0.05; Sulfur, 2.60 wt. percent and C.R. percent, 0.01. The FCC recycle stock is illustrated by the 19% extract (phenol solvent) of FCC recycle stock, which extract had the following properties: API, 1.8; sulfur, 1.9 wt. percent; Br. No., 17; RI (20 C.) 1.6372 and Engler Distillation, IBP=589 F.; 745 F. The use of these latter starting materials is described in copending application Ser. No. 79,661, now US. Patent 3,153,087.

The preparation and properties of FCC recycle stock and FCC decant oil are described in detail in copending application Ser. No. 242,076, filed Dec. 4, 1962.

For example a typical FCC decant oil is one having an API gravity of 15.4, IBP 375 F. and EP 995 F. at atmospheric pressure, CS vis. at 100 F. 21.00, CS vis. at 210 F. 3.66, percent S, 0.870, Ramsbottom C, 1.70, M01. wt. 320, Vis. Gr. Con. 945, Br. No., 8.0. The 47 vol. percent extract from this decant oil has a specific gravity of 1.095, exhibits the same initial boiling point and end boiling point and has the following characteris tics: CS vis at 100 F. 223.5, CS vis at 210 F. 7.80, percent S, 1.44, Ramsbottom C, 5.7, Vis. Gr. Con. 1.103, Br. No., 14.0, which is another species of the starting material.

The results of hydrogenation of several of the solvent extracts shown in Table III, to produce hydrogenated or dewaxed and hydrogenated solvent extracts for use in acid preparation and subsequent conversion to aminoamides, are shown in Table VI.

TAB LE VI.HYDR O ENATION OF SOLVENT EXTRACTS AND PRODUCTS Run No. Range of Conditions and Product 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 Properties Reaction Conditions:

Extract N o 43 44 44 44 41 43 1 43 44 1 44 H/HC ratio 2.0 2.0 2. 5 2. 5 1. 75 1.03 2.0 2.0 2.02 1.0-2. 5 LVHSV 2. 15 2.05 2.0 1. 2.0 2.0 2.0 1. 97 2. 0 1. 9-2. 5 T011111, F 700 700 650 650 650 675 700 700 720 650-720 500 500 400 300 400 400 500 500 500 300-500 Neut. No O. 13 0.14 0. 52 0.96 0. 11 0. 66 0.24 0.08 0. l5 08-1. 0 Sulfur (wt. percent)... 2. 4 3. 19 3.07 3.05 1. 75 2. 7 2.6 2. 7 2. 7 1. 5-3. 5 Grav., API 12.8 9. 4 8. 5 8.8 18. 5 11.8 12. 9 10.1 9. 7 8. 0-15. 0 Vis. at 100 F.-. 663. 7 1,133 1, 457 1, 452 132. 5 808.7 851.1 464 1, 058 450-1000 VI 33 96 114 9 49 52 83 96 9 1 Dewaxed. 1 Filtrol.

Table VI also :sets forth the range of conditions and product properties that are generally applicable to the process and product starting materials of this invention.

Without limiting the invention, the characteristics of the products of this invention as influenced by the complex acids are further disclosed as thus far evaluated. The mono-, diand polycarboxylic acids used are mixtures ofiacids of the dihydronaphthalene, dihydrophenanthrene, and dihydroanthracene types, having several alkyl groups and/ or cycloalkyl groups in each aromatic nucleus wherein the sum of the carbon atoms in the alkyl or naphthenic radical substituents varies between and 22. Despite the size of the acid molecules the linkages through or between the carboxyl groups are about the same as those of phthalic and t-ere-phthalic acids. A portion of the aromatic rings or condensed aromatic rings are probably further condensed with naphthenic rings to form configurations similar to the steroid ring systems. Extract acids from solvent extracts obtained in the production of bright stocks probably contain more highly condensed aromatic structures. Most of the sulfur is in the form of heterocyclic rings with carbon associated with both the aromatic-type and naphthenic-type structures present. Only trace amounts of the sulfur are present as high- Inolecular-weight aliphatic sulfides. The nitrogen content of distilled solvent extracts is 0.01 to 0.04%. Analysis for the types of carbon linkages as percent C (carbon atoms in aromatic configuration) percent C (carbon atoms in naphthenic configuration) and percent C (carbon atoms in parafiinic configuration) gives results ranging from about 3040% C,,, 20-35% C and 31-47% C using the method of Kurtz, King, Stout, Partikian and Skrabek (Anal. Chem., 28, 1928 (1956). They are soluble in ethyl ether, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, benzene, toluene and xylene.

In one aspect of the invention aminoamides are prepared, having enhanced curing properties by reacting a polyamine, as herein defined, with a mixture of complex carboxylic acids from which the monocarboxylic acids have been removed. The exclusion of the monobasic acids to produce fractions comprising the balance of the mixed acids or fractions predominantly dicarboxylic, tricarboxylic or tetracarboxylic, as the case may be is accomplished by means of fractionation. The detailed procedures for carrying out the fractionation of the mixed acids is described in detail in the copending applications.

Ser. No. 161,355, now US. Patent 3,228,963, filed Dec. 22,, 1961, L. A. 100 et al.; Ser. No. 209,741, abandoned, filed July 13, 1962, L. A. 100; Ser. No. 209,780, now US. Patent 3,180,876, filed July 13, 1962, L. A. 100; Ser. No. 247,358, now US. Patent 3,250,786, filed Dec. 26, 1962, L. A. 100 et al.

In accordance with application Ser. No. 161,355 fractions of the complex acids are separated in accordance with their acid numbers and the number of carboxyl groups per molecule by (1) dissolving the salts of the acids to be fractionated in a first solvent in which the free acids are at most only sparingly soluble; (2) adding a small amount of an acid sufficiently strong to decompose the salts and liberate a portion of the desired acids; (3) extracting the liberated acids from the resulting mixture using a second solvent which is immiscible with said first solvent; (4) adding another small amount of mineral acid to the remaining salt solution; (5) again extracting the acids thus liberated with said solvent; and (6) continuing this cyclic acidification and extraction until the first solvent is substantially free of the desired acids and their salts. The process is illustrated as follows:

Example VI A water solution containing 26 g. of the sodium salts of extract acids per 100 ml. was prepared, a 150-ml. portion of it was treated with 1 m1. of hydrochloric acid, and the resulting liberated acid was extracted with 20 ml. of toluene (Fraction 1, Table VII). Then the acidification with hydrochloric acid and the extraction were repeated in cyclic fashion, until no more acid was obtained from the water phase. After the extract acid had reached an acid number of 220 (Fraction 6, Table VII), the extraction solvent was changed to ether, since the higher-acid-number acids are insoluble in toluene. The results of the procedure are given in Table VII.

TABLE VII Original extract acid:

A.N 218 M01. Wt 420 Percent Unsap 8. 7 COOH/mol 1.66

Fraction No. Amount (g.) Acid No. M01. Wt. COOH/Mol Example VII In this example, the same stock solution was used as in Example IX, but ether was used as the extraction solvent from the beginning. First, a ml. portion of the extract acid salt solution was extracted with 20 ml. of ether. Then 5 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 10 ml. of water were added to the ether solution, and the resulting acidic water phase was separated from the ether phase, containing free extract acid, and combined with the raffinate phase from the previous ether extraction step. After the water phases had been combined, they were extracted again with ether, the ether solution was acidified with 1 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and 10 ml. of water, and the water phase was again separated from the ether phase, again contining extract acid, and combined with the stock solution. This procedure was repeated until no more acid was obtained from the extractacid-salt water solution when the solution was acidified.

The ether phases were washed twice with 10-ml. portions of water, and then the ether was evaporated to leave the acid fractions as products. These acid fractions had higher acid numbers than the fractions obtained by the method used in Example VI, indicating that some acid salt had been extracted along with the acids in Example VI. The results of this method are given in Table VIII.

TABLE VIII Original extract acid:

Amount (g.) Acid No. M01. Wt.

Fractions 7 through 12 of Table VII, and fractions 12 through 17 of Table VIII are illustrative of species of substantially dicarboxylic acids that can be used in accordance with this invention.

3,326,853 13 14 The desired fractions of mixed complex carboxylic TABLE XI acids are prepared in accordance with application Ser. No. 741 now l (1) dlssolvmg F frfe acld Fraction Number EPA/Toluene n-Heptane Acid No.01 mixture to be fractionated in a first solvent in Which the (g./ml.) Added (ml.) Precipitate mixture is readily soluble; (2) adding a small amount of an aliphatic solvent to precipitate or liberate a portion of (Charge) 214 the desired acids; (3) filtering the liberated acids from the 1 22% resulting mixture; (4) adding another small amount of 810/ 250 287 said aliphatic solvent to the remaining acid mixture solution; again filtering the acids thus liberate-d; and 10 Filtrate fractions numbers 1 through 6 and particularly continuing this cyclic precipitation and filtration until the filt t f tio numbers 4 5 and 6 f Table X and Fracsohlte coflsisls Primarily 0f moflobitsic acids and the tions 1, 2 and 3 of Table XI represent illustrative species deslred and tetracarboxyhc aclds have been P of other complex acids to be used in accordance with this rated. Illustrative examples from application Ser. No. invention 209,741 now abandoned given as follows: In accordance with US Patent 3,180,876 selected frac- Example VIII tions of the carboxylic acids are obtained by (1) dissolving a given amount of the complex mixture of acids to A 40.0 g. portion of extract polybasic acids (EPA) be fractionated in a critical amount of a first aromatic having an acid number of 214, a molecular weight of 410, solvent other than benzene in which the free acids are and 4.8% unsaponifiables, was dissolved in 100 ml. of fairly soluble; (2) adding a small and preselected amount toluene. To this solution, 70 ml. of n-heptane was added. of a second aromatic solvent which causes the precipita- The resulting precipitate was filtered, washed with pention of high acid-number polybasic acid asv the first portion tane, and dried, and the dried precipitate was designated of the desired acids; (3) separating the liberated acids as Fraction 1. This procedure was repeated with additional from the resulting mixture; (4) adding another selected 25, 30, 35 and 40 ml. portions of n-heptane to yield, or small amount of the second aromatic solvent to the respectively, Fractions 2, 3, 4 and 5, which are examples remaining solution; (5) again separating the acids thus of predominantly dibasic acids to be used in accordance liberate-d or precipitated; and (6) continuing this cyclic with one aspect of this invention. Beyond this point, it was addition of incremental amounts of said second solvent not possible to recover crystalline precipitates of high acid and subsequent separation until the first solvent is subnumber. The characterization of the fractions is presented stautially free of the desired acids. In this process the secin the tabulation immediately below: ond solvent may be the same as the first solvent and TABLE IX Heptane Amount Acid Molecular -COOH/ Percent Fraction N 0. 8331 (g.) No. Weight Molecule Unsap.

Example IX precipitation takes place by adding a small and preselected amount of the same, first solvent. This is demonstrated by the following examples.

Example XI A 10.8 g. portion of extract polybasic acid, having an acid number of 21 8 and a molecular weight of 410', was

dissolved in 22 ml. of toluene. The solution was cloudy until more than 4 g. of acid was dissolved. The final solu- TABLE X Precipitate Filtrate Fraction Amount of No. n-Heptane Used (ml.) G. Acid Mol. COOH/ G. Acid M01. COOH/ No. Wt. Mol No. Wt. Mol

(Charge) 214 410 1. 57 1 15 0. 82 300 435 2. 33 6. 17 193 420 Example X tion was clear. Then a 250-ml. portion of toluene was Different concentrations of the acid mixture used in Example VIII above were prepared in toluene, and each was precipitated with a fixed amount of n-heptane. The

added to the solution, resulting in the development of cloudiness within 5 minutes and a coagulate-d precipitate within one-half hour. The precipitate was separated by filtration, washed with pentane, and dried, and the dried tabulation below reports the results of these experiments. 75 precipitate was designated as Fraction 1.

1 5 A 350 ml. portion of toluene was added to the filtrate resulting in a second precipitate which was separated, washed, dried, and designated as Fraction 2.

A SOO-ml. portion of toluene was added to the filtrate,

16 ether-water mixture; a lower phase containing a water solution of sodium salts of di-, triand higher polybasic acids. Then, the phases were separated and acidified separately with HCl, and the organic acids released were resulting in a third precipitate which was separated, 5 extracted with ether. Finally, each ether extract was dried, washed, dried, and designated as Fraction 3. yielding the products in the tabulation below:

TABLE XIII Fractional Products From Original Charge Upper phase Middle phase Lower phase 0.98. 45.2. N 245. Equivalent wt Dark brown, ystalline Mix. of mono-, di-, triand higher polybasic acids.

Appearance. Essential compos "Yilb'vj sat solidi Unsap Amber color. crystalline.

Di-, tri-. and higher polybasic acids.

Very dark brown gummy prod" Monoloasie acids, incl. naphthenie acids.

Additional of 1000 ml. of toluene to the filtrate resulted in no more precipitation.

The tabulation below provides a summary of characterizations of the fractions produced in the experiment.

Fractions 1, 2 and 3 of Table XII are additional special fractions of predominantly dicarboxylic acids which may be used in accordance with this invention.

The lower-phase 'fractions of predominantly diand tribasic acids separated in accordance with copending application Ser. No. 247,258 now US. Patent 3,250,786 as Example XIII A 13.43 g. portion of an extract polybasic acid was pulverized and dissolved in 250 ml. of water containing 9.45 g. NaOH and 25 ml. of ether. This mixture was poured into a separatory funnel containing 100 ml. additional ether and shaken vigorously. Then 62 ml. of saturated NaCl solution (containing 17.7 g. of NaCl) was added and the mixture was shaken vigorously for two minutes. After settling, a three-phase system emerged: a light yellow upper phase consisting of unsaponifiables in ether; dark brown middle phase consisting of sodium salts of monobasic acids (including naphthenic acids) dissolved in ether-water mixture; a lower phase containing a water solution of sodium salts of di-, tri-, and higher polybasic acids. The phases were separated and acidified separately with HCl, and the organic acids released were extracted with ether. Each ether extract was dried, yielding the products described below:

TABLE XIV Fractional Products From- Original Charge Upper phase Middle phase Lower phase Wt. (g.) 13.43 9.21 3.78. Percent of charge 100 .6. 28.1. Acid No. of frac 218... 178.. 309. Equivalent wt 257 315.". 181. Appearance Dark brown color, crystall Very d Amber color, crystalline.

higher polybasic acids.

s Unsap. color odies.

product. Monobasic acids (incl.

described by the following examples can also be used to prepare the liquid aminoamide curing agents of this invention.

Example XII A 2.17 g. portion of an extract polybasic acid was pulverized and dissolved in ml. of water containing 2.39 g. NaOH and 10 ml. ether. This mixture was poured into a separatory funnel containing 60 ml. additional ether, and shaken vigorously. Then, 10.2 ml. of saturated NaCl solution (containing 2.96 g. NaCl) was added, and the mixture was shaken vigorously for 2 minutes. After settling, a three-phase system emergedr a light-yellow, upper phase, consisting of unsaponifiables in ether; a darkbrown, middle phase, consisting of sodium salts of mono- Example XIV A 3.22 portion of extract polybasic acid was pulverized and dissolved in ml. of water containing 3.3 g. of NaOH and 10 ml. of ether, this mixture was poured into a separatory funnel containing 100 ml. additional ether, and the tunnel was shaken vigorously. Then, 20 ml. of saturated NaCl solution (containing 5.7 g. of NaCl) was added and the mixture was shaken vigorously for 2 minutes. After settling, a three phase system emerged: a light yellow upper phase consisting of unsaponifiables in ether; a dark brown middle phase consisting of sodium salts of monobasic acids (including naphthenic acids) dissolved in ether-water mixture; a lower phase containing a water solution of sodium salts of di-, tri-, and higher polybasic acids (including naphthenic acids) dissolved in 7 basic acids. Each phase was separated and acidified sepa- 1 7 rately with HCl, and the organic acids released were extracted with ether. Finally each ether extract was dried, yielding the products described below:

is Example XVI A 6.1 g. portion of extract polybasic acid, having an acid number of 206, was dissolved 200 ml. of tetrahydro- TABLE XV Fractional Products From- Original Charge Upper phase Middle phase Lower phase Wt. (g 1.00. Percent of charge 31.1. Aeld No. of fractl 296.

Equivalent wt 321 190. Appearance". erystalline Yellow, soft solid Very Ctillntbrown, soft, gum. Amber color, crystalline.

pro no Essential composition. Mixture of mono-, di-, tri-, and Unsnp. color Monobasic acids (incl. Di-, tri-, and higher polybasic higher polybasic acids. odies. naphthenie acids). acids.

Example XV furan and neutralized with a calculated amount of sodium hydroxide (0.89 g.) in 200 ml. of water. There was no An 0.84 g. portion of extract polybasic acid was pulverized and dissolved in ml. of water containing 0.93 g. of NaOH and 5 ml. of ether, this mixture was poured into a separatory funnel containing 30 ml. additional ether, and the tunnel was shaken vigorously. Then, 6 ml. of saturated NaCl solution (containing 1.7 g. of NaCl) separation of phases. Addition of a considerable amount of soduim chloride resulted in a separation of layers. Phases were then separated and independently acidified. Each acidified product was extracted with ether and the extract stripped. The two products were characterized as follows:

TAB LE XVII Fractional Products From- Original Charge Upper Layer Lower Layer Wt. (g.) 6.1 3.3 2.8. Percent of charge 100 54 46. Acid numben 206 150 230. Equivalent wt 272-. 374 244. Appearance. Dk. brown Gray Essential comp Mixture of mono-, di-, triand higher poly- Monobasic acids Di-, tri-, and higher polybasic acids and unsap. and unsap. basic acids.

was added, and the mixture was shaken vigorously for two minutes. After settling, a three-phase system emerged: a light yellow upper phase consisting of unsaponifiables in ether; a dark brown middle phase consisting of sodium salts of monobasic acids (including naphthenic acids) dissolved in ether-water mixture; a lower phase containing a water solution of sodium salts of di-, tri-, and higher 7 polybasic acids. Phases were separated and acidified individually with HCl, and the organic acids thus released were extracted with ether. Each ether extract was dried, yielding the products described below:

The predominantly dib asic acid fractions of EPA have acid numbers ranging from about 250 to 330 and a relatively pure dibasic acid fraction has an acid number of: about 280. Such fractions form liquid aminoamide curing agents having properties peculiarly suite-d for use in accordance with this invention.

THE LIQUID AMINOAMIDES The aminoamides of this invention are prepared by reacting about one mole of a polyamine with one equivalent of said complex carboxylic acids using the fusion TABLE XVI Fractional Products From- Original Charge Upper phase Middle phase Lower phase Wt. (g.) 0.34. Percent of charge 40.5. Acid number" 295. Equivalent weight. 213 338 190. Appearance Dk. brown color, crystalline. Yellow color Very dk. brown; soft, gum. Amber color, crystalline.

Mixture of di-, triand higher Unsap. and color odies.

product. Monobasic acids, incl.

aclds.

19 cook or the solvent method. The fusion cook is the preferred method. Preferably the complex carboxylic acid or fraction thereof is added incrementally to the total wherein R and R are the same or different alkylene, cycloalkylene, alkarylene, arylene, and/ or aralkylene radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and including those amines wherein both R and R are arylene or alkarylene radicals connected to the amino nitrogen through nuclear carbon atoms and n is an integer of 1 to 10. Where the amino nitrogen is connected to two arylene groups through nuclear carbon atoms the amino group is inactivaed as far as crosslinking is concerned, but the aminoamide so formed is within the intended scope of this invention. Examples of polyamines which can be used are:

diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), ethylenediarnine (EDA), dipropylenetriamine,

' tripropylenetetramine,

tetrapropylenepentamine, propylenediamine, dibutylenetriamine, tributylenetetramine, tetrabutylenepentamine, dipentylenetriamine, tripentylenetetramine, butylenediamine, 1,3-diaminobutane, pentamethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, decamethylenediamine, tridecamethylenediamine, naphthylenediamines, oct-adecarnethylenediamine, p-xylylenediamine, cyclohexylenediamine, 4,4-methylene-bis-aniline, 3-methylhexamethylenediamine, octamethylenediamine, m-phenylenediamine, o-phenylenediamine, melamine, 3,3-iminobispropylamine, N-ethyltri-aminobenbene N-propyltriaminobenzene N-butyltriaminobenzene. N-N-diethyltriaminobenzene, N-N'-dipropyltriaminobenzene and N-N-dibutyltriaminobenzene.

WhereR and/ or R in the formula supra are arylene, such groups as phenylene, naphthylene and anthrylene are intended. When R is alkylene such groups as methylene, ethylene, propylene, etc., up to eicosylene are intended and the alkarylene groups may be combinations of the alkyl and aryl groups. Other examples of polyamines are known in the art.

Where the amine contains both primary and secondary amino groups, by proper control of the reaction temperature during monoamine salt formation followed by a higher amidereaction temperature, and of the mol ratio of complex carboxylic acid to amine in the reaction mixture, the reaction can be controlled so that substantially only one of the two terminal, primary amine groups reacts with each carboxyl group of the acid. This is accomplished by using a ratio of polyamine to acid so that the ratio of the number of primary amine groups to the number of carboxyl groups is at least 2 to 1 to as low as 2 to 1.2 and by carrying out the salt-forming reaction at a low temperature and the monoamide reaction at a higher temperature, using N gas bubbling through the mixture to remove the water formed during the amide reaction (the fusion cook). The solvent cook method, using an azeotrope to remove water of reaction, can be used, but the reaction is difficult to stop at the point where the aminoamide formation is complete, because the higher temperature needed to remove the azeotrope may cause undesirable reactions.

The mol ratios of polyamine to acid are arranged so that all or substantially all of the carboxyl groups are reacted with one of two available primary amino groups to form an aminoamide.

In the solvent cook procedure the polyamine and complex carboxylic acid are first reacted at low temperature (-95 C.) to form the monoamine salts using a small quantity of a suitable solvent, such as xylene or toluene. The second step, formation of aminoamide, takes place at temperatures between about 150 and 235 C. and the xylene-water azeotrope is distilled off and xylene recycled to remove more water. When the reaction is completed, the xylene must be distilled off which requires raising the temperature higher than is desirable. Other solvents that are useful are octane, dibutylether, mesi-tylene, decane and diamylether.

In the fusion cook process the total polyamine charge is heated in a reaction vessel at 130 C. while adding small increments of extract polyearboxylic acid. The reaction mixture is rapidly stirred and nitrogen is bubbled through the mixture. After salt-formation is completed, the reaction mixture is slowly heated to a higher temperature, 235 C., while the water of amide-formation is driven off by more vigorous nitrogen flow. The reaction is continued by either method until the evolution of water slows down perceptibly or the stoichiometric amount of water has been recovered. The resulting product is ready for use as a curing agent for epoxy resins.

In order to demonstrate the preparation of the aminoamides of this invention and their utility as curing agents, the following examples are given.

Example XVII One hundred forty-six grams (1.0 mole) of triethylenetetramine (TETA) was charged to a resin pot equipped with a stirrer, a nitrogen bubbler inlet, a condenser mounted over a water trap, and a thermocouple well. The TETA in the pot was stirred and heated to 210 F. and maintained at 210220 F. while 257 g. (1.0 equivalent) of extract polybasic acid (EPA #49 in Table II) (as granules) was added slowly, in increments. When addition of reactants was complete, the temperature was raised to 285 F., with stirring. After all of the acid had been dissolved in the reaction mixture and salt formation had become complete, the temperature was raised to 295300 F., with stirring. At this point, water formation (foaming) indicated that formation of amide was in progress. The reaction temperature was raised slowly, with stirring, to approximately 500 F. When 18 g. (1 mole) of water had been collected in the trap, amide formation was considered to be complete and the preparation was terminated. The product, designated as Product A, was cooled 21 and tested as an epoxy curing agent. Tests results are presented in Table XVIII below:

TABLE XVIII 22 widely used as adhesives, encapsulating compounds, laminates, structural forms and the like. The intermediates, or

[Epoxy resin used; Epon 830; 1/1 ratio of epoxy equivalents to active hydrogen in curing agent] Curing Agent Property Lancast A Aromatic Amine Product A (Aminoamide of Mixture Triethylenetetramine Tall Oil Acid) (60/40 MPDA/MDA) Compatibility with aromatic Fast solubility, rapid Slow, needs vigorous Slow, needs stirring." Slow, needs vigorous based epoxy resins. blending. stirring. stirring.

Curing speed:

Gelling time 2 hrs 8 hrs 16 hrs 2 hrs.

Hard cure time 4 hrs -20 hrs 48 hrs 4 hrs.

Heat resiptance (Soften at Hard, inflexible Very flexible Hard, inflexible Barcol hardness 85-89 70-77 81-84 Tensile strength, lbs/in. 7,050- 5,950-

Examination of the above test results shows our curing agents to be superior to the three commercial curing agents with which they were compared.

Example XVIII Another preparation was completed using the same sequential procedure described in Example XVII. In this instance, the reactants were: 378.6 g. (2 moles) of tetraethylenepentamine and 514.6 g. (2 equivalents) of extract polybasic acid (EPA #49 in Table II). The product, designated Product B, was again a superior epoxy curing agent.

Example XIX A 146.3 g. (1.0 mole) portion of triethylenetetramine was charged to a resin pot equipped as in Example XVII. The TETA in the pot was heated to 210 F. and maintained at 210-220 F. as 233.7 g. (1.07 equivalents) of extract polybasic acid (EPA #53 in Tab. II) were added slowly in small increments. When addition of reactants had been completed, the temperature was raised to 285 F., with stirring. After all of the acid had dissolved in the reaction mixture and salt formation had become complete, the temperature was raised to 295 300 F., with stirring. At this point, water formation (foaming) indicated that amide formation was in progress. The reaction temperature was raised slowly, with stirring, to approximately 500 F. When 19.5 g. (1.07 moles) water had been collected in the trap, amide formation was considered to be complete and the preparation was terminated. The product, designated as Product C, was cooled to room temperature.

It should be noted that this preparation differed from the preparation described in Example XVII in two important respects: (a) the extract polybasic acid was of higher acid number (256 against 218 in the case of Example XVII); (b) there was a 1.07/1 ratio of acid equivalents/ polyamine moles where there was a 1/1 ratio in Example VI. In Table XIX, below, it will be seen that Product C, used as a curing agent, results in a faster cure than is achieved with Product A.

TABLE XIX.-CURING TIMES USING A 10/12 EPOXY RESIN] ASPHALT MIXTURE [Epoxy resin used: Epon 830; 1/1 ratio of epoxy equivalents to active hydrogen in curing agent] Product A Product 1 2 hrs. 1 hr.

1% hrs.

epoxy monomers are cured, in accordance with this invention, by using the aminoamides of the complex carboxylic acids just described, in place of all or part of the known curing agents, such as polyamines, dibasic acids, polyamides and the like. Epoxy resins are expensive and are generally extended with other resins such as phenolformaldehyde resins, aniline-formaldehyde resins, polyester resins, polyvinyl resins, urea-formaldehyde resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins, and the like. These resin extenders as well as the arninoamides of this invention, depending on their properties and the conditions of the reaction, may or may not cross-link with the polyepoxy resin and cause significant changes in the properties.

The polyepoxy-resin intermediate used in preparing the extended resins of this invention can be any of the broad class of polyepoxides known to be useful in preparing cured resins. In general, these polyepoxides are straightchain polymers prepared from low-molecular-weight diepoxides and contain an epoxide group at each end of the chain. The epoxy resins contemplated by this invention includes the newest class of these materials as prepared from monomers having two or more reactive epoxide groups in the monomer structure.

The epoxy monomers are available commercially, both in liquid and solid forms (the term monomer as used herein includes compositions which are strictly monomeric or which are partially polymerized or contain small amounts of polymer), and are polymerized by addition of curing agents which include primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, and poly-functional compounds such as glycols, polyglycols, polyamines, polyamides, and carboxylic acid anhydrides. The resins which are prepared by curing epoxy-resin monomers are cross-linked resins of the thermosetting type, and are characterized by high chemical and thermal stability at high tensile and impact strength. The resins are prepared by addition to the epoxy monomer of a small amount of a curing agent. The curing agent is added to the epoxy resin in an amount which is effective for the particular resin to promote the hardening of the resin. The selection of the particular curing agent is determined by the characteristics of the epoxy resin composition and the proportion of the curing agent may vary widely, although the use of about 5-20% wt. of the curing agent is preferred.

Preferably, the polyepoxide used as the starting material is aromatic in chemical character.

Thermosetting synthetic resins formed by the polymerization of an ethylene oxide derivative containing at least two ethylene-oxide groups in the molecule, in the presence of inorganic or organic bases (as described in U.S. Patent 2,444,333), can be used in accordance with this invention.

These resinous condensation products are prepared by' the reaction between epihalohydrin, for instance epichlorohydrin,

23 24 and bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)dimethylmethane, commonly acid (and analogs thereof), are disclosed as being novel known as Bis-phenol A, prepared by the condensation of epoxy resin monomers. 2 mols of phenol with 1 mol of acetone and having the The resinous condensation products thus formed, formula, which are prepared by One method in accordance with 5 US. Patent 2,444,333 infra, are known as Epon resins (1H3 which range from solids to viscous liquids having molec- HO C -O ular weights in the order of about 1000 to 3000. In one form, this condensation reaction is carried out by employing a ratio of epihalohydrin to the bis-phenol at with or Without an organic compound present correspondslightly below or around 2:1. Also, resinous products ing to the general formula ZCNRNOZ, where R is a diprepared in accordance with U.S. Patent 2,594,979 can be valent organic radical free of functional groups other than used. the two NCZ groups and Z is a member selected from the The structure normally associated with epichlorohyclass consisting of oxygen and sulfur. drin bisphenol-A resins, used in accordance with this The diphenol product is then reacted with epichlorohyinvention, is:

/O\ (9H; (|)H CH: /O\ oniouoni[oo-oomon-cH,]oo-0orn-oH -o1n CH3 is CH: drin in the presence of caustic to yield the diglycidyl ether where n has a value of 0 to 10 or more. This invention in accordance with the equation: is directed to the extension or modification, of any resin 0 CH3 (NaOH) Mom-0114311201) HO o 011 CH3 0 I CH3 l I O I CHz-CHCH2O 3 OCHz--CHCH2 NaCl l 1 CH3 I l However, when the stoichiometric 2:1 ratio is employed, formed by the reaction of an oxirane ring compound and the yield of the monomeric diglycidyl ether is less than compounds containing hydroxyl groups, the foregoing 10%, with the remaining material being higher-moleeulardisclosure and formulae being illustrative. These resins weight condensation and polymerization products. In order are formed by the reaction of epichlorohydrin (B.P. 116 to obtain high yields of the monomeric product, excess C.) or glycerol dichlorohydrin and a large variety of epichlorohydrin is employed, the stoichiometric amount dior polyhydroxyl compounds. Reactions occur through being doubled or tripled. It is then possible to obtain both the oxirane (epoxy) group and the halogen atom.

yields of 70% or more of the monomer. The epoxy monomers which are available commercially are gen- In phase of bisphenol-A such other compounds as glycerol, resoreinol, cresol, various glycols, catechol, hy-

erally mixtures containing varying amounts of the true droquiinone, polyhydroxy naphthalenes, novolak-type monomer and other higher-molecular-weight condensaphenolic resins, and other phenol derivatives may be tion and polymerization products. The number of potenused, all of which resins come within the scope of this tially useful reactants for the synthesis of epoxy resins is invention.

quite large. All varieties of polyhydric phenols, poly- Thirteen types of Epon (a registered trademark of alcohols, polyf'unctional halohydrins, and polyepoxides, Shell Chemical Co.) resins are known and available for have been suggested as intermediates in the literature. formulation into cured coatings, adhesives, castings and Many of these epoxy monomers which can be used in the laminates in accordance with this invention. All of these preparation of epoxy resins are described in such text resins possess terminal epoxide groups and are known books as Epoxy Resins, Skeist, Reinhold Publishing as epoxy-type resins. The primary difference among the Corp, 1958 and Epoxy Resins, Lee and Neville, Mcvarious types of Epon resins is molecular weight, which Graw-Hill Book Company, 1957. Compounds which are increases as the identifying number increases. The aliuseful intermediates in the preparation of epoxy resins inphatic epoxy resins useful herein, (e.g., Epon 812) have elude diepoxides, such as butadiene diepoxide and divinyla chemical structure of a typical molecule as follows: benzene diepoxide, and diglycidyl ether,

O R C2 OH CH2 O CH2 C1 /1 \CH2 CHZ GH CHT O[ CHQ JH CH2 'O]n CH2 Cfi CHQ Other diglycidyl ethers include those produced by reaction of epichlorohydrin with other polyhydroxy comas exemplified by a glycerol-based resin (Epon 812) havpounds such as resorcinol, hydroquinone, pyrocatechol, ing a molecular weight of about 300. R in the formula saligenin, phloroglucinol, bisphenol A, trihydroxydiis aliphatic and contains 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

phenoldimethylmethane, fluor-4-dihydroxybiphenol, long- All of the other members of the Epon series are chain Ebisphenols, 4,4dihydroxydiphenol sulfone, novelac aromatic in character, being obtained from di-and polyresins, ethylene glycol, and higher glycols, glycerol, eryhydroxy aromatic compounds such as cresols, polyhythritol, pentaerythritol, etc., in the presence of alkali. droxy naphthalenes and the like, i.e., R is aromatic or Glycidyl esters are also known to be useful intermediates CH is replaced by a phenylene, naphthylene or (resin monomers) in the preparation of epoxy resins. Such anthrylene groups in the formula for Epon 812. Other exesters include the diglycidyl ester of diphenolic acid, diamples are Epoxide 201, a proprietary product of Union glyeidyl esters of phthalic acids (all three isomers), and Carbide Chemicals Co., identified as 3,4-epoxy-6-methyldiglycidyl esters of aliphatic dibasic acids, e.g., succinic eyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxy-6-rnethylcyclohexane carboxacid, suberic acid, pirnelic acid, etc. In the copending apylate. Also the product Oxiron 2001, proprietary product plication of Walter E. Kramer and Louis A. Joo, Ser. No. of Food Machinery and Chemical Co., having an epoxy 58,638, now US. Patent 3,056,763, filed Sept. 27, 1960, equivalent of 145 as described in copending application the diepoxy esters of 4,4-tetrahydrodipyridyl dicarbamic Ser. No. 162,279 may be used.

Table XX gives the properties of illustrative polyepoxy monomers.

2'6 tive linings for tank cars and industrial adhesives. Also the products may be used to form castings, using metal TABLE XX.-TYPICAL UNCURED EPOXY RESIN SPECIFICATIONS Viscosity, 25 C. Melting Color, 25 C. Epoxide Epon Resin Type Point, 0. (Gardner), Equivalent 8 max. Gardner- Poises Holdt Epon 812 Liquid 3 140-160 Epon 815- Liquid 5 175-195 Epon 820- Liquid 8 180-195 Epon 826 Liquid 5 175-190 Epon 828- Liquid 5 180-195 Epon 830. Liquid 12 190-210 Epon 834. Liquid 5 230-280 Epon 836- -45 5 280-350 Epon 1001. -75 4 425-550 Epon 1002. -85 4 550-700 Epon 1004. -105 4 875-1, 025 Epon 1007. -135 5 2, 000-2, 500 Epon 1009 -155 5 2, 500-4, 000

1 Durrans mercury method.

Epon 812, 815, 820, 826, 828, and 830 on resin as supplied, Epon 834 on 70% wt. solution in butyl Carbitol; all other types on 40% wt, solution in butyl Carbitol at 25 C.

3 Gnams of resin containing one gramequivalent of epoxide,

The uncured epoxy resins are generally liquids and of limited utility. They are accordingly further polymerized or cured by appropriate curing agents or catalysts which react with either the terminal epoxide groups or with the secondary hydroxyl groups or both to produce cross-linking or coupling, or esterfication and polymerization reaction products of increased utility.

The aminoarnides of this invention take the place of and are an improvement over the large number of known amine-type of curing agents, such as those listed in Modern Plastics Encyclopedia Issue, September 1951, pp. 108 and 109. The various reactions involved in curing the epoxy resins using the instant aminoamides in place of those of the prior art as set forth in the September 1960 issue of Modern Plastics, Encyclopedia issue, on pages 220 and 221 can be used.

The product of reacting these aminoamides with epoxy resins is known as a cured epoxy resin cross-linked by aminoamides.

In order to further illustrate the invention the following non-limiting examples of various combinations of complex acids derived from solvent extracts, fractions of said acids and various polyamines used to prepare aminoamides, and illustrative epoxy monomers to be cured thereby are given in Table XXI.

powder as a filler, for tool and die work and as blending agents with other resins, i.e., with f-urfural-ketone resins for laminating uses.

The relative amounts of the aminoamide-complex carboxylic acid curing agent, the polyepoxide resin intermediate, and the epoxide diluent, are selected so that the concentration of the reacting aminoamide carried into the final product is no greater than about 50% by weight. The lowest concentration of the aminoamide curing agent in the end product which still retains the benefits of this invention is about 10% by weight. Higher and lower concentrations of the aminoamide curing agent incorporated are likely to result in unsuitable polymerization reaction products or other difficulties in the useful quality of the end products. The amount of the tertiary amine or other catalyst used will vary from about 0.2 to 1.5% by weight of the total charge. The presence of the amine catalyst causes partial polymerization of the polyepoxide resin intermediate and the epoxide diluent, as

wel las aiding in the polymerization and/ or esterification with the aminoamide curing agent. The reaction can be carried out using the amine catalyst alone without the epoxide diluent or the reaction can be carried out without using the amine catalyst. Suitable tertiary amine catalysts for this purpose include pyridine, w, 8-, or 'y TABLE XXI Carboxyl Molar Epoxy Monomer No. Complex Acid Fro1n Equivalents Polyamine Amount of Cured Comments of Acid Used Polyamine 1% Example I 1.0 DETA 1.0 Aminoamide product. Example II 1.05 'IETA.-. 1.05 Do.

Example III 1.0 TETA 1.0 Do.

No. 7 of Table II 1.03 Dipropylene Tna 1.03 Do.

No. 3 of Table II 1. 05 Cyclohexylenediamine. 1. 05 Do.

No. 53 of Table II 1.06 Hexamethylene diamine 1.06 Do.

Fraction No. 7, Table VII 1.0 TETA l. 0 Epon 830.. Cured resin.

Fraction No. 15, Table VIII 1. 04 p-Phenylene 1. 04 Epon 815.. Do.

Fraction No. 2, Table IX... 1. 5 'Ietrapropylenepentami 1. 5 Epon 1009 D0.

Fraction No. 5, Table X.. 1. 4 TETA 1.4 Epon 812.. Do.

Fraction No. 3, Table XII 2.3 2. 3 Epon 830 Do.

Lower phase fraction of Table XIII. 1. 0 1.0 Aminoamide product. Lower phase fraction of Table XIV- 1. 05 1.06 Do.

Lower phase fraction of Table XV... 1. 0 1. 0 Epon 830 Cured resin.

Lower phase fraction of Table XVII. 2. 3 Butylene dinmme 2. 3 Epon 812 Do.

The cured epoxy compositions of this invention can be prepared using conventional techniques to prepare resins for use in coating, in electrical applications (potting compounds and insulators) and where adhesion, flexibility, toughness and chemical resistance are required. The cured epoxy compositions of this invention are highly cross-linked and exhibit low toxicity, easy handling, etc. They find use in the manufacture of home appliance finishes, drum and can linings, highly flexible enamels, varnishes exhibiting abrasion resistance, protecpicoline, quinolines, quinaldine, trialkyl amines e.g., trimethylamine, triethylamine, alkarylamines e.g., methylphenyalmines, alkyl-substitnted amino-phenols and other heterocyclic bases.

After the polyepoxide intermediate (with or without the amine catalyst and with or Without the epoxide diluent) has been contacted with the aminoamide curing agent for a period of about 10 minutes to 3 hours the agitation and heating is stopped and the mixture allowed to cool. The product, depending upon the proportions of ingredients and the presence or absence of other addends, becomes a flexible, but tough resin casting or an inflexible, tough casting or a resinous coating material. The epoxy resins (before curing) may be mixed with various fillers such as silica flour, said, zinc oxide, glass wool, fiber glass and so forth, as further illustrated in copending application Ser. No. 162,279, for purposes of preparing various coatings, insulators, castings, or laminates.

The embodiments of this invention in which a privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A cured epoxy resin comprising the reaction product ofa polyethoxyline monomer and from about to about 50 weight percent based on the final product of a fluid aminoamide of the formula wherein n is an integer of 1 to 10, R is a divalent hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to carbon atoms, m has a value of 1 to 7 and R is a complex polynuclear aromatic and heterocyclic carboxylic acid nucleus derived from sulfur-containing aromatic compounds of petroleum origin, said complex carboxylic acid being characterized by having a molecular weight from about 320 to 750, containing about 0.5 to 4.5 weight percent of sulfur and containing an average of about 1.7 to 5.0 aromatic rings per mean aromatic molecule.

2. A cured epoxy resin in accordance with claim 1 in which said epoxy resin is the reaction product of epichlorohydrin, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)dimethylmethane and a tertiary amine, said epichlorohydrin being present in the reaction mixture in excess of a stoichiometric amount.

3. A cured epoxy resin comprising the reaction product of a polyethoxyline monomer and from about 10 to about 50 weight percent based on the final product of a partially polymerized amino amide of the formula:

[H N-RL NO]mRCN R!N N-o-R-[-o-N- R N 41]". (a lit n an it t. wherein n is an integer of 1 to 10, R is a divalent hydrocarbon radical of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R is a complex polynuclear aromatic and heterocyclic carboxylic acid nucleus derived from sulfur-containing aromatic compounds of petroleum origin, and m is .an integer of 1 to 6, complex carboxylic acid being characterized by having a molecular weight from about 320 to 750, containing about 0.5 to 4.5 Weight percent of sulfur and containing an average of about 1.7 to 5.0 aromatic rings per mean aromatic molecule.

4. The process of forming cured epoxy resins which comprises reacting a polyethoxyline monomer from about 0.2 to about 1.5 percent by weight of the total charge, of a tertiary amine catalyst, and from 10 to about 50 percent by weight, based on the final product of a fluid amino amide of complex carboxylic acids derived from solvent extracts, obtained in the solvent extraction of mineral lubricating oils using a solvent selective for aromatic compounds, said complex carboxylic acid being characterized by having a molecular Weight from about 320 to 750, containing about 0.5 to 4.5 weight percent of sulfur and containing an average of about 1.7 to 5.0 aromatic rings per mean aromatic molecule, and polyamines selected from the group consisting of compounds having the general formulae:

wherein n is an integer of 1 to 10, R and R are selected from the group consisting of alkylene, cycloalkylene, alkarylene, arylene and aralkylene radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and wherein R and R may be the same or dififerent radicals.

5. An article of manufacture comprising the cured reaction product of a polyethoxyline monomer and from about 10 to about 50 percent by Weight based on the final product, of a fluid amino amide of complex carboxylic acids derived from solvent extracts, obtained in the solvent extraction of mineral lubricating oils using a solvent selected for aromatic compounds, said complex carboxylic acid being characterized by having a molecular weight from about 320 to 750, containing about 0.5 to 4.5 Weight percent of sulfur and containing an average of about 1.7 to 5.0 aromatic rings per mean aromatic molecule and polyamines selected from the group consisting of compounds having the general formulae:

wherein n is an integer of 1 to 10, R and R are selected from the group consisting of alkylene, cycloalkylene, alkarylene, arylene and aralkylene radicals having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and wherein R and R may be the same or different radicals.

6. The reaction product of a polyethoxyline monomer and a liquid polyamide derived from the reaction and partial polymerization of complex polynuclear aromatic carboxylic acids, said complex acids being characterized by having a molecular weight from about 320 to 750, containing about 0.5 to 4.5 weight percent of sulfur and containing an average of about 1.7 to 5.0 aromatic rings per mean aromatic molecule, and a polyamine of the group consisting of diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, ethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, o-phenylenediamine, tetrapropylenepentamine, butylene diamine and mixtures thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,753,323 6/195-6 Farnham 260-47 2,742,448 4/ 1956 Beacham et al. 260-47 2,760,944 8/ 1956 Greenlee 2 60-47 2,839,480 6/1958 Ott et al. 260-18 3,135,767 6/1964 Ayers 260 -327 3,154,524 10/1964 Martinek 260 -78 3,180,876 4/ 19 Joo 260-327 WILLIAM H. SHORT, Primary Examiner.

S. N. PRICE, T. D. KWEWIN, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A CURD EPOXY RESIN COMPRISING THE REACTION PRODUCT OF A POLYETHOXYLINE MONOMER AND FROM ABOUT 10 TO ABOUT 50 WEIGHT PERCENT BASED ON THE FINAL PRODUCT OF A FLUID AMINOAMIDE OF THE FORMULA 